HEBREWS 4:11-13 – Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
THEME OF THE DAY: LIVING THE EXPOSED LIFE. Ask any Christian the question, “Is God everywhere, all the time?” and without hesitation, we will hear, “Of course. Absolutely.” Then ask that same Christian, “Do you live your life daily aware of God’s constant presence that is helping you defeat temptation, control your speech, watch your heart, and refuse to see, hear or do anything that would displease the Lord?” Might be a little slow hearing the answer.
Living in the conscious, not always felt, presence of God enhances spiritual growth, strengthens spiritual resolve, equips for spiritual warfare, and is, without a doubt, the key to a life of God-pleasing holiness.
In the book of Psalms, David provides us one of the richest descriptions of God’s omnipresence (always near) and omniscience (all-knowing). Take a little time and worship through this beautiful section of scripture. It is really an exposition of today’s scripture. Here it is . . .
O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you (Psalm 139:1-12).
We truly do live “exposed lives” before the Lord and what is staggering is He knows us through and through, our follies and failings, yet loves us still! Yes, we truly do live “exposed lives” and the more we are aware of it, the closer we get to the Lord. And we can get there with one simple question in whatever situation or temptation we face that may lead to sin or compromise – “Would I say this, do this, read this or watch this if the Lord Jesus was right beside me?” Then remember, He is not only beside you, but in you.
PRAYER: “Father, may I learn to live with the conscious awareness of Your always present Presence.”
QUOTE: “Nothing is private in life; what we watch on television, see on the web, or say in conversations is before God.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim